KOCHI: Festivals in Kerala are spectacular with caparisoned elephants, percussion rhythm and fireworks. But when it comes to elephant care, Kerala’s record is pathetic. Much sought after for festivals, the gentle animal is left to fend for itself against the vagaries of nature. Though the Supreme Court had issued an order in 2015, directing to provide protective shelter for captive elephants, a majority of them are tied to a tree for 23 hours a day, exposed to the elements and chained in a pool of filth.
Standing continuously in unhealthy conditions make the animals vulnerable to diseases. The issue raises serious concern as 40 elephants have died in the state over the past one-and-a-half years due to ill health.
The elephants tethered in unhygienic places are more vulnerable to feet diseases and develop ulcer in their intestines.
The death of these majestic animals reflects the sorry state of their lives. The elephants that died during the period are in the age group of 22-50 years, while the average life expectancy of an elephant in a healthy ambience is 80 years.
Though there is an alarming rise in the mortality rate of elephants, the authorities are dragging their feet in providing shelters for the giants, though the tuskers rake in the moolah for their owners during the festival season.
According to Heritage Animal Task Force, only three elephants owned by the Cochin Devaswom Board have the privilege of a shelter, while the board has 11 elephants. Only five elephants owned by the Travancore Devaswom Board have a roof over their heads though the board owns 29 elephants.
In the case of Guruvayur Devaswom, which owns 51 elephants, the highest number in the country, only 10 elephants have sheds. In Malabar Devaswom Board, no elephant has got a shelter.